U.S. patent number 5,046,641 [Application Number 07/470,777] was granted by the patent office on 1991-09-10 for article dispensing machine and method of dispensing articles.
Invention is credited to Andrew P. P. Gray.
United States Patent |
5,046,641 |
Gray |
September 10, 1991 |
Article dispensing machine and method of dispensing articles
Abstract
A dispensing machine in the form of a vending machine for
vending generally planar articles, which may be rigid or flexible,
includes an article feed system having a first generally horizontal
conveyor on which the articles are arranged generally vertically
side-by-side and by which they are moved towards a second generally
transversely extending conveyor which removes the endmost article
from the first conveyor and supplies it to an outlet slot in the
housing of the machine and from which it is removed by the user.
The second conveyor may remove articles from the first conveyor
generally vertically upwardly or generally horizontally. The
article feed system is driven by operation of a handle by the user
through an intermediate mechanical drive system connected between
the handle and the article feed system and keys may be provided for
preventing operation of the article feed system in the absence of
the provision by the user of the required amount of money for an
article.
Inventors: |
Gray; Andrew P. P.
(Copmanthorpe, York YO2 3TJ, GB2) |
Family
ID: |
10650630 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/470,777 |
Filed: |
January 26, 1990 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jan 26, 1989 [GB] |
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8901693 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/253; 194/283;
221/287; 271/225 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
11/58 (20130101); G07F 11/26 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
11/46 (20060101); G07F 11/26 (20060101); G07F
11/16 (20060101); G07F 11/58 (20060101); G07F
011/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;194/283,286
;221/231,237,253,279,287 ;271/34,35,150,225 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0287795 |
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Oct 1988 |
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EP |
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2117786 |
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Oct 1972 |
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DE |
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58-52139 |
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Mar 1983 |
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JP |
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63-247229 |
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Oct 1988 |
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JP |
|
659146 |
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Dec 1986 |
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CH |
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1110719 |
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Apr 1968 |
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GB |
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Other References
International Application Publication WO88/00378, dated 14 Jan.
1988. .
German Gebrauchsmuster G 87 03 233.3, dated 7/23/87..
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Primary Examiner: Dayoan; D. Glenn
Assistant Examiner: Reichard; Dean A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Watson, Cole, Grindle &
Watson
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A machine for dispensing generally planar articles such as
newspapers comprising:
a housing having an outlet through which an article is
dispensed,
an article feed system comprising first and second conveyor means,
said first conveyor means comprising a first movable conveying
surface extending and movable in a first conveying direction
towards said second conveyor means and for supporting an array of
articles arranged generally vertically side by side in said first
conveying direction, said second conveyor means being arranged to
convey the leading article in the array in a second conveying
direction transverse to said first conveying direction towards said
outlet for removal therefrom, said second conveyor means comprising
engagement means movable in said second conveying direction and
adapted to positively engage the leading article in the array to
move said article towards said outlet,
said machine also comprising:
drive means for driving said article feed system,
article retaining means for bearing against the last article in an
array of articles on said first conveying surface for retaining the
array upright on said conveying surface, and
biassing means for biassing said article retaining means in the
direction of said second conveyor means, said biassing means being
independent of said first conveyor means.
2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 for supplying an article to a
user in response to a predetermined value of money, comprising
first releasable locking means for preventing operation of said
article feed system, said first locking means being released in
response to receipt by the machine of the predetermined value of
money.
3. A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first locking
means comprise a pivotal element mounted for pivotal movement
between a first position in which it prevents driving of said
article feed system and a second position permitting driving of
said article feed system by movement of said handle, said element
being pivoted from its first position to its second position by
money supplied to the machine.
4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, comprising a stop which is
arranged to extend into the path of said pivotal element in its
first position to prevent movement of said handle from its first
position.
5. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engagement means
comprise means for engaging a lateral edge of the leading article
of said first conveyor means.
6. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engagement means
comprising means for engaging in a surface of the leading article
of said first conveyor means.
7. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first conveying
direction is generally horizontal and said second conveying
direction is generally perpendicular thereto.
8. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second conveying
direction is generally horizontal.
9. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second conveying
direction is generally vertically upward.
10. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive means
include a handle for operation by the user, means mounting the
handle in the housing, said handle being movable from a first
position to a second position in a first direction, and means
coupling said handle to said article feed system such that movement
of said handle in said first direction from said first position to
said second position causes an article to be dispensed.
11. A machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein said handle is
connected to or forms part of a lever and said lever is mounted in
said housing for angular movement about a generally horizontal
axis, rotation of said lever by movement of said handle in the
first direction from its first position to its second position
causing one article to be supplied to said outlet.
12. A machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein said coupling means
comprises clutch means for transmitting drive to said article feed
system only when said lever is moved in the first direction.
13. A machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising a removable
cassette for containing a plurality of articles to be dispensed by
the machine, said cassette being adapted to be received on said
first conveyor means and to provide access for said first and
second conveyor means to articles in the cassette for dispensing
articles from the cassette.
14. A machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for sensing
the presence of articles on said first conveyor means and for
preventing operation of the machine in the absence of articles
thereon.
15. A machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
user demand means manually operable externally of said housing for
causing an article to be dispensed,
money receiving means for receiving a predetermined value of money,
and
releasable means for preventing operation of said article feed
system by operation of said user demand means to dispense an
article and releasable in response to receipt of said predetermined
value of money by said money receiving means.
16. A machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein said drive means
comprises a handle for operation by the user and forming said user
demand means, said handle being mounted in said housing for
movement from a first position to a second position in a first
direction, and means are provided for coupling said handle to said
article feed system such that movement of said handle in said first
direction from said first position to said second position causes
an article to be dispensed when said releasable means is
released.
17. A machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a removable cassette for containing the array of articles to be
received by said first conveyor means and to be dispensed by said
machine, said cassette being adapted to be received in a fixed
operative position within said housing and to provide access for
said first and said second conveyor means to the articles in said
cassette for moving the articles in said cassette relative to said
cassette in said first conveying direction and for removing
articles sequentially from said cassette in said second conveying
direction.
18. A machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein said article
retaining means and said biassing means are mounted on said
cassette.
19. A machine for dispensing generally planar articles such as
newspapers to a user comprising:
a housing having an outlet through which an article is delivered to
the user,
a user demand handle projecting from the housing and mounted for
movement by the user from a first position to a second position in
a first direction,
an article feed system coupled to the handle to be driven by
movement of the handle in the first direction, said article feed
system comprising first and second conveyor means, said first
conveyor means providing a movable first conveying surface
extending and movable in a first generally horizontal conveying
direction for receiving and supporting an array comprising a
plurality of the articles thereon and for moving the articles
towards an end thereof, the articles being arranged on said first
conveying surface of said first conveyor means generally vertically
side by side in said first conveying direction, and said second
conveyor means extending from said end of said first conveying
surface for engaging and conveying the leading article of the array
from said end of said first conveying surface in a second generally
horizontal conveying direction transverse to the first conveying
direction towards said outlet for removal therefrom by the user,
said second conveyor means comprising engagement means movable in
said second conveying direction and adapted to positively engage
the said leading article to move said article towards said
outlet,
article retaining means for bearing against the rearmost article in
the array of articles on said first conveying surface for retaining
the array of articles upright on said conveying surface, and
biassing means for biassing said article retaining means in the
direction of said second conveyor means, said biassing means being
independent of said first conveyor means.
20. A machine as claimed in claim 19, comprising:
money receiving means for receiving a predetermined value of money,
and
releasable means for preventing operation of said article feed
system by operation of said user demand means to dispense an
article and releasable in response to receipt of said predetermined
value of money by said money receiving means.
21. A machine as claimed in claim 19, comprising:
A removable cassette for containing the array of articles to be
received by said first convey means an to be dispensed by said
machine, said cassette being adapted to be received in a fixed
operative position within said housing and to provide access for
said first and said second conveyor means to the articles in said
cassette for moving the articles in said cassette relative to said
cassette in said first conveying direction and for removing
articles sequentially from said cassette in said second conveying
direction, said article retaining means and said biassing means
being mounted on said cassette.
22. A machine for dispensing generally planar articles such as
newspapers comprising:
a housing having an outlet through which an article is
dispensed,
an article feed system comprising first and second conveyor
means,
said first conveyor means comprising a first movable conveying
surface extending and movable in a first conveying direction
towards said second conveyor means and for supporting and moving an
array of articles arranged generally vertically side by side in
said first conveying direction towards the second conveyor
means,
said second conveyor means being arranged to convey the leading
article in the array in a second generally horizontal conveying
direction transverse to said first conveying direction towards said
outlet for removal therefrom, said second conveyor means comprising
engagement means movable in said second conveying direction and
adapted to engage the leading article in the array to move said
article towards said outlet, and
drive means for driving said article feed system.
23. A machine as claimed in claim 22, comprising:
user demand means manually operable externally of said housing for
causing an article to be dispensed,
money receiving means for receiving a predetermined value of money,
and
releasable means for preventing operation of said article feed
system by operation of said user demand means to dispense an
article and releasably in response to receipt of said predetermined
value of money by said money receiving means.
24. A machine as claimed in claim 23, wherein said drive means
comprises a handle for operation by the user and forming said user
demand means, said handle being mounted in said housing for
movement from a first position to a second position in a first
direction, and means are provided for coupling said handle to said
article feed system such that movement of said handle in said first
direction from said first position to said second position causes
an article to be dispensed when said releasable means is
released.
25. A machine for dispensing generally planar articles such as
newspapers comprising:
a housing having an outlet through which an article is
dispensed,
user demand means manually operable externally of the housing for
causing an article to be dispensed,
an article feed system,
means for driving said article feed system in response to operation
of said user demand means,
said article feed system comprising first and second conveyor
means,
said first conveyor means comprising a first movable conveying
surface extending and movable in a first conveying direction
towards said second conveyor means and for supporting and moving an
array of the articles arranged generally vertically side by side in
said first conveying direction towards the second conveyor
means,
said second conveyor means being arranged to convey the leading
article in the array in a second generally horizontal conveying
direction transverse to said first conveying direction towards said
outlet for removal therefrom, said second conveyor means comprising
engagement means movable in said second conveying direction and
adapted to engage the leading article in the array to move said
article towards said outlet.
26. A machine as claimed in claim 25, comprising:
money receiving means for receiving a predetermined value of money,
and
releasable means for preventing operation of said article feed
system by operation of said user demand means to dispense an
article and releasably in response to receipt of said predetermined
value of money by said money receiving means, and
wherein said drive means comprises a handle for operation by the
user and forming said user demand means, said handle being mounted
in said housing for movement from a first position to a second
position in a first direction, and means are provided for coupling
said handle to said article feed system such that movement of said
handle in said first direction from said first position to said
second position causes an article to be dispensed when said
releasable means is released.
27. A machine for dispensing generally planar articles such as
newspapers comprising:
a housing having an outlet through which an article is
dispensed,
an article feed system comprising first and second conveyor
means,
said first conveyor means being adapted to receive an array of the
articles and to move the articles in a first conveying direction
towards said second conveyor means, the articles being arranged
relative to said first conveyor means generally vertically side by
side in the first conveying direction,
said second conveyor means being arranged to convey the leading one
of the articles received by said first conveyor means in a second
conveying direction transverse to the first conveying direction
towards said outlet for removal therefrom,
drive means for driving said article feed system, and
a removable cassette for containing the array of articles to be
received by said first conveyor means and to be dispensed by said
machine, said cassette being received in a fixed operative position
within said housing and providing access for said first and said
second conveyor means to the articles in said cassette for moving
the articles in said cassette relative to said cassette in said
first conveying direction and for removing articles sequentially
from said cassette in said second conveying direction.
28. A machine as claimed in claim 27, wherein said cassette has a
leading end which in its operative position in said machine is
positioned adjacent said second conveyor means, article retaining
means are associated with said cassette for bearing against the
rearmost article in said cassette remote from said leading end for
retaining the array of articles in said cassette generally vertical
and biassing means are provided on said cassette for biassing said
article retaining means in the direction of said leading end of
said cassette.
29. A machine as claimed in claim 27, comprising:
user demand means manually operable externally of said housing for
causing an article to be dispensed,
money receiving means for receiving a predetermined value of money,
and
releasable means for preventing operation of said article feed
system by operation of said user demand means to dispense an
article and releasable in response to receipt of said predetermined
value of money by said money receiving means.
30. A machine as claimed in claim 29, wherein said drive means
comprising a handle for operation by the user and forming said user
demand means, said handle being mounted in said housing for
movement from a first position to a second position in a first
direction, and means are provided for coupling said handle to said
article feed system such that movement of said handle in said first
direction from said first position to said second position causes
an article to be dispensed when said releasable means is released.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to improvements in and relating to a machine
for and method of dispensing generally planar articles, which may
be rigid or flexible and may be relatively thin, such for example
as brochures, booklets, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers and discs
for record, C.D. or video players, and particularly but not
exclusively to a machine for and method of vending such
articles.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method of dispensing generally planar articles comprising forming
a generally horizontally extending array of the articles, the
article being arranged in the array generally vertically side by
side, dispensing the articles one at a time from one end of the
array through a dispensing outlet, and moving the remaining
articles in the array towards the one end thereof as articles are
dispensed therefrom, characterised in that drivable conveyor means
are provided in the path of movement of the articles in the array
at the one end of the array for dispensing articles therefrom, the
conveyor means comprising engagement means movable laterally of the
end of the array to engage the endmost article in the array, and
the conveyor means is driven to cause the engagement means to
engage the endmost article in the array and dispense it through the
dispensing outlet.
The generally horizontally extending array of articles may
be-.provided on a first conveyor means which moves the articles
generally horizontally, and the drivable conveyor means may form a
second conveyor means which moves the articles individually from
the first conveyor means to the dispensing outlet.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a machine for dispensing generally planar articles
comprising a housing having an outlet through which an article is
dispensed, an article feed system comprising first and second
conveyor means, the first conveyor means being adapted to receive a
plurality of articles and to move the articles in a first conveying
direction towards the second conveyor means, the articles being
arranged relative to the first conveyor means generally vertically
side-by-side in the first conveying direction, and the second
conveyor means being arranged to convey the endmost article of the
first conveyor means in a second conveying direction transverse to
the first conveying direction towards the outlet for removal
therefrom, and drive means for driving the article feed system.
The first conveyor means may comprise movable endless means, e.g.,
one or more belts, providing a first conveying surface for
supporting the articles and extending in the first conveying
direction, the second conveyor means extending from the end of the
first conveying surface. Article retaining means may be provided
for retaining the article of the first conveyor means upright and
the retaining means may be biassed in the direction of the second
conveyor means.
The second conveyor means may comprise a second conveying surface
extending in the second conveying direction and may comprise
engagement means movable in the second conveying direction for
engaging and moving the endmost article from the first conveyor
means. The engagement means may be carried by endless means, e.g.,
one or more belts, and may be adapted to engage a lateral edge of
an article or may be adapted to positively engage in the surface of
the article. The engagement means may comprise a projection for
engaging a lateral edge of the endmost article or one or more pins
for engaging the surface of the endmost article. The extent to
which the engagement means project may be adjustable.
Preferably, the first conveying direction is generally horizontal
and the second conveying direction is generally perpendicular
thereto. The second conveying direction may be horizontal or
vertical and, when vertical, may be vertically upward.
The drive means may comprise a motor driven electrically,
pneumatically or hydraulically. Alternatively, the drive means may
comprise a user demand handle projecting from the housing and
mounted for movement by the user from a first position to a second
position in a first direction, the article feed system being
coupled to the handle to be driven by movement of the handle in the
first direction.
The user demand handle is preferably connected to or forms part,
e.g., an end portion, of a lever which is mounted in the housing
for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, rotation of the
lever by movement of the handle in the first direction from its
first position to its second position causing the article feed
system to supply one article to the outlet.
The drive means may comprise intermediate drive means between the
lever and the article feed system which includes a clutch for
transmitting drive to the article feed system only when the lever
is moved in the first direction, together with gear and/or chain
drive means for driving the first and second conveyor means.
Biasing means may be provided for returning the handle from its
second position to its first position and means, e.g., a rack or
ratchet and pawl means, may be provided for preventing return of
the handle to its first position until it has been moved to its
second position.
The machine may be a vending machine for supplying an article to a
user in response to a predetermined value of money.
The term money as used herein is intended to include actual money
or items equivalent thereto such as tokens.
The machine may comprise at least one slot in the housing for
money, which may be in the form of coins or tokens, and the or each
slot may be associated with means for preventing operation of the
machine until the correct value of money has been supplied to the
machine.
The means for preventing operation of the machine in the absence of
the correct value of money may comprise one or more pivotal
elements, e.g., keys, which assume a first position in the absence
of the correct money causing blocking of the movement of the lever
and a second position in which the lever is free to move. The or
each pivotal element may be pivoted to its second position by money
supplied to the machine.
The or each pivotal element may be mounted to move with the handle
or lever for preventing movement of the handle or lever and may be
mounted on a slidable member movable with the handle or lever or
may be mounted on the lever.
Stop means blocking movement of the lever may be provided in
respect of the or each key, and, where a plurality of keys are
provided, the or each means may be retractable to disable the key
in the event that the associated money receiving slot is not
required.
The machine may also comprise means for sensing the presence of
articles on the first conveyor means and for preventing operation
of the machine in the absence of articles thereon. These means may
operate to retain the handle in a position spaced from the first
position, e.g. in a position in or adjacent its second position,
following dispensing of the last article on the first conveyor.
The machine may also comprise locking means to prevent movement of
the handle in the first direction in the absence of supply of money
to the machine, the locking means being released by insertion of
one or more coins or tokens into the coin slot or at least one of
the coin slots of the machine. These locking means may comprise a
member movable into the path of movement of the handle or lever to
prevent movement of the handle in the first direction, the member
being removed from the path of the handle by insertion of money
into the machine.
The machine may also comprise means for obstructing the or each
coin slot in the housing when the machine is in operation.
For convenience of loading the machine, the machine may comprise a
removable cassette for receiving articles, the cassette being
adapted to be located on the first conveyor means and provide
access for the first and second conveyor means to articles within
the cassette, the cassette having an opening through which articles
are dispensed by the second conveyor means.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from
the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of an article feed system
of an embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of part of the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an article feed system
of another embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modification of part of the
feed system of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cassette for use
with the embodiment of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a horizontal section through the cassette of FIG. 5 in
use and showing parts of the article feed system of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6a is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 showing a modification
of the second conveyor;
FIG. 7 is a part sectional part elevational view of part of the
drive mechanism for an article feed system of an embodiment
according to the present invention;
FIG. 7a is a sectional view showing a modification of part of the
mechanism of FIG. 7;
FIG. 8 is an elevation perpendicular to the elevation of FIG. 7
showing the remainder of the drive mechanism for the embodiment of
FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a modification of FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is an elevational view of mechanisms associated with the
handle for preventing operation of an embodiment according to the
present invention.
FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view through the housing of an
embodiment according to the invention showing the lever and means
associated therewith;
FIG. 12 is a section on the line XII--XII of FIG. 11; and
FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic part sectional part elevational view
through the housing of an embodiment according to the invention
showing a modified form of lever and handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The embodiment of machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings is
a vending machine and has a generally rectangular housing 1 in
which is mounted an article feed system 2 which is driven by the
user to supply an article 3 to an outlet 4 in the housing for
removal therefrom by the user.
As shown the machine is intended to vend relatively thin and planar
articles 3 which may be flexible or rigid, such for example as
brochures, booklets, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, books or
discs for record or compact disc or video players.
The article feed system comprises a first conveyor 5 and a second
conveyor 6. The first conveyor 5 has a generally horizontal first
conveying surface 7 for receiving a plurality of the articles 3
which are arranged on the conveying surface generally vertically
side by side, and for moving the articles along the conveying
surface in a first conveying direction 8 towards the second
conveyor 6 which is arranged at an outlet end of the first
conveying surface. The second conveyor 6 has a second conveying
surface 9 extending generally transverse to the first conveying
surface and along which articles are moved from the end of the
first conveying surface in a second conveying direction 10
transverse to the first conveying direction 8. As shown in FIG. 1,
the second conveying surface 9 extends generally perpendicularly to
the first conveying surface 7 and the second conveyor is arranged
to convey articles in a generally vertical direction upwardly from
the end of the first conveying surface to the outlet 4.
The first conveyor 5 comprises at least one and may comprise a
plurality of, as shown two, endless belts 11 extending around
rollers 12, 13 of which one, e.g. roller 12, is driven. The upper
runs of the belts travel over a stationary support 11a and provide
the first conveying surface 7 on which articles are supported and
along which they are moved by movement of the belts 11.
The second conveyor 6 also comprises at least one and may comprise
a plurality of, as shown two, endless belts 14 extending around
rollers 15, 16 of which one, which may be roller 15 or roller 16,
is driven. The second conveyor 6 is arranged to pick up an article
from the first conveyor 5 before the article reaches the end of the
upper run of the first conveyor and while it is still supported by
the first conveyor.
One run of the belts 14 travels over a stationary support 14a and
the belts and/or the stationary support provide the second
conveying surface 9. The belts 14 are provided with aligned spaced
engagement means 17 for engaging the endmost article on the first
conveyor to remove it from the first conveyor and convey it to the
outlet 4. The engagement means 17 may take a variety of different
forms depending on the articles to be engaged thereby. As shown in
FIG. 1, each engagement means comprises a projection 17a which
engages a lateral edge of the article and is appropriate where the
article has a defined lateral edge, such as a booklet or disc.
An alternative arrangement of the article feed system is shown in
FIG. 3 for supplying articles laterally out of the machine. The
same reference numbers are used in FIG. 3 as are used in FIGS. 1
and 2 for the same or equivalent components. As in the embodiment
of FIGS. 1 and 2, the embodiment of FIG. 3 comprises two conveyors
5, 6. Conveyor 5 is similar to conveyor 5 of FIGS. 1 and 2 as is
conveyor 6 except that conveyor 6 is arranged to remove articles
laterally and generally horizontally from the end of the first
conveying surface of conveyor 5.
As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the belts 14 of conveyor 6
carry laterally aligned spaced engagement means 17 in the form of
projections 17a for engaging a lateral edge of the endmost article
on conveyor 5.
An alternative form of engagement means 17, applicable to both
embodiments, is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, each
engagement means 17 comprises a pin 17b or, as shown, a plurality
of pins 17b, inclined in the direction of movement of the conveyor
to engage in or penetrate the surface of the article to ensure
positive engagement of the article. The pins 17b are appropriate
where the lateral edge of the article is not so clearly defined as
with a newspaper. As shown, the pins 17b will engage the endmost
article at or adjacent the lateral edge of the article. It will be
appreciated that the pins may alternatively be arranged to engage
the article in any part of the exposed surface of the article.
Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 1, the outlet 4 is arranged
immediately adjacent and in line with the second conveying
direction, the end of the second conveying surface 9 and the
endmost article on the first conveying surface 7, so that an
article being conveyed by the second conveyor 6 is supported
against the second conveying surface by the articles remaining on
the first conveyor while being moved by the second conveyor towards
and through the outlet 4. Depending on the spacing between the
endmost article on the first conveying surface 7 and the outlet 4,
retaining means may be provided for retaining articles on the
second conveying surface after they have been moved clear of
articles remaining on the first conveyor and before they reach the
outlet 4.
Where, as in FIG. 3, the second conveyor 6 is arranged to convey
articles laterally from the end of the first conveyor in a
generally horizontal direction, a generally horizontal support
surface may be provided for supporting the lower edge of the
article being conveyed by the second conveyor. This may be
unnecessary if the lateral extent of the first conveying surface is
sufficient to adequately support the article in its lateral
movement to the outlet 4.
Where projections 17a are provided, the projections should extend
from the surface of the belts a distance less than the thickness of
one of the articles. To enable the machine to be used for articles
of different thicknesses, the one run of the belts 14 may be
arranged behind the surface of the stationary support means, which
define the second conveying surface, and through which the
projections project to an adjustable extent. Such an arrangement
may also be provided where other forms of engagement means are
used. Where engagement pins 17b are provided, the second conveyor
may be arranged with the roller 15 aligned with the lateral edge of
the article to be engaged by the pins or inwardly of the lateral
edge so that as the parts of the belts carrying the pins leave the
roller 15 they progressively engage the exposed surface of the
endmost article on the first conveyor adjacent or inwardly of its
lateral edge.
The outlet 4 is in the form of a slot in the housing which may be
provided with a closure means 21. The closure means may, as shown
in FIG. 1, be in the form of brushes or bristles 21a extending
across the slot from each edge. Alternatively, for reasons of
security, the outlet slot may be provided with a non-return closure
means 21b, e.g. in the form of a hinged spring biassed flap 21b, as
shown in FIG. 6, which is opened by an article being dispensed,
will automatically close following dispensing of the article and
cannot be opened from the outside of the machine. Locking means,
e.g. in the form of a spring biased bolt (not shown), may be
provided for preventing the door 21b being opened when the machine
is not being operated.
In each operation of the machine, the driven roller 12 of the first
conveyor 5 is rotated in a direction to move articles on the first
conveyor a distance at least equal to the thickness of an article.
The distance may be greater to ensure that the articles are
maintained with the endmost article at the end of the first
conveying surface ready for engagement by the second conveyor. The
driven roller of the second conveyor 6 is rotated in a direction to
cause one pair of aligned engagement means 17 to engage and move
the endmost article on the first conveyor through the outlet 4 and
bring the succeeding engagement means 17 to a position ready to
engage the next article on the first conveyor. The driven rollers
may be coupled together by any suitable means such as gears and/or
chains to be driven by common drive means.
To reduce the friction between articles on the first conveyor 5 and
the belts 11 at least as the articles approach the second conveyor
6, the first conveyor 5 may be provided with resilient article
supporting strips 22 (FIG. 1) which project into path of the
articles at least adjacent the end of the first conveying surface,
to slightly lift the articles off the belts 11. The progressive
lifting of the articles by the strips 22 also has the effect of
breaking any adhesion between adjacent articles.
Articles on the first conveyor 5 are held upright and lightly urged
in the direction of the second conveyor 6 by a retaining plate 23
(shown in FIG. 1 but not shown in FIG. 3) located behind the
rearmost article. The plate 23 is provided with a constant bias in
the direction of the second conveyor by constant tension spring
devices 24 (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1) connected one to each
side of the plate 23 and, as shown in FIG. 1, to the housing 1.
The conveyors 5, 6 are in both embodiments conveniently mounted in
an upper part of the casing 1 to be accessible from the top of the
casing which is made openable, for replenishing the supply of
articles supported on the first conveyor 5.
For convenience of filling, the machine may be adapted to receive a
cassette 30 which is pre-filled with articles to be dispensed and
is, when filled, positioned on the first conveyor with its front
end 31 against the second conveyor. Such a cassette for use with
the embodiment of FIG. 3, is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The cassette
30 comprises an open topped frame 32 within which the articles are
received. The base of the frame comprises lengthwise members 33
which are received in corresponding slots (not shown) in the
stationary support 11a for the belts 11. The slots in support 11a
and members 33 extend adjacent and parallel to the belts 11 so that
the belts 11 extend into the gaps 34 between the members 33 and
engage the articles 3 in the cassette. Similarly, at the front end
31, the frame has members 35 which extend parallel to the belts 14
and the second conveying direction 10 and provide gaps 36 into
which the engagement means 17 on the belts 14 extend to engage the
endmost article on the first conveyor. On that side of the cassette
from which an article is dispensed, the frame includes an L shaped
lateral frame member 37 which terminates short of the front end 31
and defines a slot 37a through which an article is dispensed from
the cassette. On the other side there is a lateral member 38 which
is pivotally mounted on the cassette and adjustable inwardly of the
cassette to maintain the articles in the cassette butted up against
the other side of the cassette so that they are in the correct
position for engagement by the engagement means 17 of the second
conveyor. The frame includes other vertical and horizontal members
39 at the front end, 40 at the sides and 41 and 42 at the rear to
brace and strengthen the cassette.
The cassette may include the retaining plate 23 which is then
mounted for sliding movement on frame members 33 and 40 and is
biassed lightly in the forward direction by constant tension spring
devices 24 connected between the upper and lower edges of the plate
23 and the front frame members 35 of the cassette. The plate 23 may
have a rearwardly extending hook 43 for hooking over frame member
41 while the cassette is being filled. To ensure that only one
article is dispensed in each operation of the machine, an
adjustable stop 44 may be provided on frame member 37 and which
extends to an adjustable extent across the slot 37a. The stop 44 is
arranged so the gap between its forward edge and the front frame
member 39 is slightly greater than the thickness of a single
article but less than the thickness of two articles.
In use of the cassette, as shown diagramatically in FIG. 6, the
front 31 of the cassette is butted up against the second conveyor
6. Depending on the extent to which the engagement means project
from the second conveying surface, the support 14a for the belts 14
of the second conveyor may be provided with slots similar to those
provided in support 11a, for receiving the frame members 35 to
enable the engagement means 17 to extend through the gaps 36 and
engage the endmost article in the cassette. The second conveyor 6
is arranged to be of a length to fit between the frame members 39
without interference between the frame members and the engagement
means. If it is required for the second conveyor to extend in the
second conveying direction laterally beyond the articles in the
cassette, the frame of the front end 31 may be laterally extended
beyond the main part of the frame of the cassette.
The frame members 35 may be provided with adjustable means 35a for
adjusting the spacing between the endmost article in the cassette
and the engagement means 17. It will be appreciated that, using the
cassette, the conveying surface of the second conveyor is in effect
defined by the frame members 35 defining the front end of the
cassette.
For use with the machine as shown in FIG. 1, the cassette shown in
FIG. 6 is modified to enable articles to be dispensed vertically
upwardly from the cassette.
FIG. 6a shows a modification of the arrangement of FIG. 6 which is
applicable where the engagement means 17 of the second conveyor do
not engage the lateral edge of the endmost article 3 on the first
conveyor, e.g. where the second conveyor 6 has engagement pins 17b.
As shown, the operative run of the belts 14 of the second conveyor
is reduced in length and its length is related to the distance an
article 3 has to travel from the end of the first conveyor to
project through outlet 4. The operative run of the belts 14 is just
long enough to ensure that the article 3 will be conveyed by the
engagement pins 17b from the end of the first conveyor towards the
outlet 4 to project through outlet 4 sufficiently to be grasped by
the user of the machine. This arrangement is advantageous because,
with a reduced distance of travel of the pins 17b they can travel
more slowly in each operation of the machine thus reducing the risk
that the pins 17b could tear the surface of the article.
Additionally, with a longer belt run, as in the embodiment of FIG.
6, there is a risk that two articles could be dispensed in one
operation of the machine, if the user grasps the first article as
soon as it appears in the outlet and forcibly removes it from the
machine. The pins 17b engaging that first article may then engage
the succeeding article and, with continued movement of the second
conveyor, this succeeding article could be moved as far as the
outlet and be grasped by the user.
The modification shown in FIG. 6a is equally applicable to the
embodiments of FIG. 1, 2 and 3. In these embodiments, and indeed in
the embodiment of FIG. 6a, the support 14a of the second conveyor
may be extended beyond the ends of the belts to provide a support
surface against which the endmost article on the first conveyor is
supported before being engaged by the pins 17b, to ensure that the
endmost article on the first conveyor is supported across its full
height, for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, and full width for the
embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 6a. Such an extension is not required in
the embodiment of FIG. 6a because the endmost article on the first
conveyor is supported by the frame members 35 of the cassette, but
may be desirable as an aid to correct location of the cassette.
The conveyors 5, 6 of both the above described embodiments are
driven by manual operation, by the user, of a handle 55 (FIG. 7)
projecting from the housing 1 through a slot 56, the handle forming
part of drive means connected to drive the driven rollers 12 and 15
or 16 of the conveyors. As shown in FIG. 7, the handle 55 is
arranged to be moved in a vertical plane from an initial upper
position (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 7) to a lower position
(indicated by broken lines in FIG. 7) to drive the conveyors. The
handle forms one end of a lever 57 which is pivotally mounted in
the casing on a shaft 58 which drives the rollers 12, 15 through
clutch means preventing reverse rotation of the rollers as the
handle is returned from its lower position to its initial upper
position. The output end of the clutch means may be connected
directly or through gear and/or chain drive means to drive the
rollers 12, 15.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in
which the axes of the driven rollers of the conveyors are parallel,
the shaft 58 is mounted in the housing in bearings and carries a
gear 59 with teeth 60 which mesh with a toothed cog wheel 61. The
cog wheel 61 is mounted on the shaft of one part 62 of a single
toothed dog clutch, the other part 63 of which is urged into
engagement with the first part by a spring 64 and which is arranged
so that rotation of the one part 62 in one direction only is
communicated to the second part 63 of the clutch. A chain 65 or
gear system connects the second part of the clutch to one end of a
shaft 66 mounted in bearings and which carries at its other end a
gear 67 meshing with a gear 68 mounted on the shaft of the roller
12. As shown, roller 15 is driven from gear 68 by a drive chain 69
but may be driven through gears which allow for differing movements
of the two conveyors. For the embodiment of FIG. 3 in which the
axes of the driven rollers of the conveyors are perpendicular, an
appropriate gear train may be interposed between gear 68 and roller
15.
Alternatively as shown in FIG. 3, movement of lever 57 in the first
direction may cause rotation of a shaft 70 via a single tooth
clutch 62, 63. Shaft 70 carries two bevel gears 72, 73. Gear 72
meshes with gear 74 on the shaft of roller 15. Gear 73 meshes with
gear 75 on a shaft 76 which carries a gear 77 which meshes with
gear 78 on the shaft of roller 12. The gearing is arranged to
provide appropriate movements of the two conveyors.
Where a single tooth one way clutch is used, movement of the lever
between its initial and fully lowered positions must cause a
360.degree. rotation of the first part 62 of the clutch. By using a
multitooth one way clutch, gear wheels 59 and 61 may be omitted and
the first part of the clutch may be connected directly to the shaft
58 of the lever to be driven directly by the lever. The full
angular movement of the lever must then be arranged to be a whole
number fraction of 360.degree. and the number must be equal to the
number of teeth of the clutch. For example, for a six toothed
clutch, the full angular movement of the lever 57 between its
initial and fully lowered positions must be 60.degree..
The handle 55 is returned from its lower position to its initial
position by a return spring 80 and the shaft may be provided with a
damping unit 81 for preventing excessively fast movements of the
handle both downwardly and upwardly. For correct operation of the
conveyors each time the handle 55 is operated, the handle must be
fully depressed each time. Means may be provided to ensure that
this occurs. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the gear 59 on shaft
58 may carry a second set of teeth 82 which are engaged by a
ratchet 82a or other detent which acts to prevent return of the
handle unless it has been fully depressed and the ratchet 82a has
passed the last of the teeth 82.
Locking means are provided to prevent operation of the machine in
the absence of the required predetermined value of money. The
locking means may prevent movement of the lever 57 in the absence
of the predetermined value of money. Where the machine is coin or
token operated, the locking means may comprise a pivotal key which
is pivotable between a locking position preventing movement of the
lever 57 and a free position in which the lever can move, the key
being pivoted between its two positions by a coin or token inserted
in the machine. The key may be mounted for movement with the lever
either on the lever or on a component moved with the lever and may
act directly on the lever in its locking position or may indirectly
prevent movement of the lever. In the mechanism shown in FIG. 7,
the key is mounted on a component moved with the lever. As shown,
the lever 57 carries an extension 83 making the lever generally
L-shaped. The end of the extension is pivotally coupled to a rod 84
which is pivotally coupled to a carriage 85 slidable along a bar 86
mounted in the housing. The key 87 is pivotally mounted on the
carriage 85 to tilt between its locking position and its free
position. The key 87 is located adjacent one end of the bar 86 (as
shown in FIG. 7) when the lever 57 is in its initial position. When
the key is in that location and in its locking position (shown in
FIG. 7), the key 87 abuts a stop 88 preventing movement of the
carriage 85 along the bar 86 and therefore preventing movement of
the lever 57. In the free position, the key 87 is clear of abutment
with the stop 88 permitting movement of the carriage 85 and of the
lever 57. A force is applied to one end 87a of the key 87 to hold
it in its locking position at least when the key is in the location
shown in FIG. 7. In this location, the other end 87b of the key is
positioned below a channel 89, through which a coin or token fed
into the machine through a coin or token slot 90 in the housing,
falls so as to tilt the key 87 to its free position against the
holding force.
The holding force on the key 87 may be provided by a weight or
spring or magnetic attraction and may be adjustable to enable the
machine to be operated by different weights of, e.g. different
numbers or types, of coins or tokens.
As shown, the stop 88 is provided by the lower edge portion of a
wall 89a in part defining the channel 89. When the key 87 has been
tilted to its free position and the lever 57 is moved towards its
lower position, the key 87 and carriage 85 is moved away from the
lower end of the channel 89 permitting the coin or token to fall
into a coin receiving tray 91. The key 87 may then tend to tilt
back to its locking position but this will not prevent continued
movement of the lever to its lower position and back to its initial
position. When the lever 57 has returned to its initial position
and the carriage 45 has returned to its initial position, the key
87 will then return to an effective locking position (as shown in
FIG. 7). The machine may be provided with a plurality of coin or
token receiving slots 90 for receiving coins or tokens of different
value, e.g. 10 p, 5 p, 2 p and 1 p coins. Each slot is then
associated with a channel 89 and a key 87 whose holding force is
adjusted to the coin(s) or token(s) to be received by the
respective slot, so that the respective key is tilted to its free
position only by the correct number of coin(s) or token(s). The
keys 87 are individually pivotally mounted on a common carriage 85
and have individual stops 88. To enable adjustment of the machine
to operate with varying combinations of coins or tokens but not
necessarily coins or tokens of all values provided for, each key
may be adapted to be disabled, for example by retraction of the
associated stop. As shown in FIG. 9, each stop 88 is provided by
the lower end of a threaded member 88a threaded into a housing 89b
mounted on wall 89a to be individually retractable to disable the
associated key and permit the lever 57 to move when that key is in
its locking position. With such an arrangement, only when the
correct value of money has been received and all the operative keys
87 are in their free positions, will the lever 57 be able to
move.
An alternative arrangement of the or each key 87, in which the or
each key is mounted on the lever 57, is shown in FIG. 7a.
As in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the or each key 87 is pivotally
mounted for movement between a locking position (as shown full
lines in FIG. 7a) in which the free end of part 87b abuts a stop 88
so as to prevent movement of the lever 57, and a free position
(shown partially in broken lines in FIG. 7a) clear of the stop and
permitting the lever to move, the or each key being arranged to be
tilted by one or a predetermined number of coins or tokens supplied
to the machine.
As shown in FIG. 7a, the key 87 is pivotally mounted on and
laterally of the lever 57 so as to pivot in a plane parallel to the
plane of angular movement of the lever. In the locking position of
the key, the free end of part 87b is aligned with or, as shown,
below the level of the lever in its initial position and the
surface of the stop 88 against which it is abutted is substantially
perpendicular to the end of the key. Conveniently, as shown in FIG.
7a, the key is generally horizontal in its locking position.
One key 87 may be provided on each side of the lever and the or
each key is arranged with its part 87b below a coin channel 89. A
force, as previously described, is applied to part 87a of each key
to hold or bias the key in or to its locking position. The stop 88
is provided by the end of a wall of the associated coin channel but
may be as described with reference to FIG. 9.
Clockwise or anticlockwise movement of the or each key from its
locking position to a position clear of the stop 88 would enable
the lever to move. In this embodiment, clockwise movement of each
key is prevented either by the lower end of the associated coin
channel or, as shown, by a stop 57a on the lever. Anticlockwise
movement of each key is caused by a coin or token or a
predetermined number of coins or tokens falling onto part 87b.
Pivotal movement of the key in the anticlockwise direction is
limited by a further stop (not shown) which is positioned so that
the coin(s) or token(s) are retained in the coin channel and
bearing on part 87b of the key to hold the key in its free position
until the lever is moved downwardly from its initial position. The
coin(s) or token(s) are then released from the channel to fall into
a tray 91.
As previously mentioned, two keys may be provided each associated
with a coin channel. The lever 57 is then arranged to move through
a gap between the coin channels and the associated coin slots in
the housing are arranged one on each side of the lever slot.
It will be appreciated that incorporation of the modification of
FIG. 7a in the mechanism of FIG. 7 would enable components 83, 84,
85 and 86 to be omitted.
The machine may be provided with money validation means 92
associated with the or each coin slot. The money validation means
may comprise money acceptance means for ensuring that each coin or
token fed into a slot 90 in the machine is the correct type of coin
or token for that slot. The keys 87 then serve to ensure that the
correct number of the different types of coins or tokens is fed
into the machine before the machine will operate.
In a modification, the money validation means may also comprise
money valuation means to ensure that the correct amount of money
has been fed into the machine. If both money acceptance and money
valuation means are provided then a single key 87 may be provided
which is arranged so that it will be tilted to its free position by
any acceptable coin or token which is released from the money
validation means into the associated channel 89.
The money validation means 92 is mounted in the housing with its
inlet or inlets arranged to receive coins or tokens from the or
each slot 90 in the housing and with its outlet or outlets above
the or each channel 89.
Money acceptance and money valuation means are well known and, by
way of example, may be as sold by Coin Control Ltd or EDR Muller
Ltd.
It will be appreciated that the locking means for preventing
movement of the lever 57 in the absence of the correct value of
money may take a variety of different forms other than that
described above, and specifically may be released by means other
than the presence of a coin or token. For example, the locking
means may be released directly by the valuation means, if provided.
Equally the machine may be arranged to be operated by payment in
other forms than coins or tokens, e.g. by the use of a cash card,
and the locking means would then be operated by the card accepting
mechanism.
The machine may also be provided with means for disabling the drive
means in the event that no article remains to be dispensed. The
disabling means may include means for sensing the presence of
articles on the first conveyor and which may for example close the
coin slots or prevent return of the lever 57 to its initial
position, after the last article has been dispensed. Such an
arrangement is shown in FIG. 2 and is equally applicable to the
embodiments of FIGS. 3, 6 and 6a. As shown in FIG. 2, the article
sensing means comprises a feeler bar 94 which is pivotally mounted
on wall 89a and is biassed by a spring 96 to a first position in
contact with articles on the first conveyor. The bar is connected
by a tie 97 to a rod 98, the spring 96 being connected between the
rod 98 and an ear projecting from a member 99 mounted on the wall
89a. The rod 98 extends through an opening 100 in the member 99
perpendicularly to the plane of movement of the lever 57 and is
arranged to be aligned with a notch 101 in an intermediate portion
of the lever 57 when the lever is in its lower position. The rod 98
remains out of the path of the lever so long as the bar 94 is in
its first position and there are articles on the first conveyor.
When the lever 57 is depressed and dispenses the last article on
the first conveyor, the bar 94 pivots anti-clockwise as viewed in
FIG. 2 which allows the rod 98 to move into the path of the lever
and prevents the return of the lever to its initial position.
The machine may include second locking means for preventing
movement of the lever from its initial position in the absence of
supply of a coin or token to the or one of the coin slots 90. Such
means may comprise a sensor associated with the coin slot which is
coupled to means blocking movement of the lever and which causes
removal of the block on movement of the lever when a coin is
inserted into the coin slot. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG.
10. As shown, an arm 105 is pivotally mounted on the base of the
housing and is movable between a position alongside the lever slot
56 and a position partly across the slot 56. At its upper end the
arm 105 has a notch 106 in which the lever 57 can locate when the
lever is in its initial position. The arm is subject to opposing
forces of two springs 107, 108, one spring 107 being connected to
the housing and the other spring 108 being connected to a ratchet
pulley 109 by a cord 110. With the pulley in the position shown in
FIG. 10, the arm 105 is biassed by spring 108 to a position across
the slot and, when the lever 57 is in its initial position, the
lever 57 will engage in the notch 106 and will thereby be held in
its initial position. A rod 111 is pivotally mounted in bearings
112 on the housing adjacent the coin slot(s) 90 and carries at one
end a lug 113 which, when the pulley is in the position shown in
FIG. 10, engages the ratchet to hold the pulley 109 in that
position. When the lug is in a position engaging the pulley, a
finger 114, at the other end of the rod 111, extends across the
coin slot 90. When a coin or token is introduced into the coin slot
it contacts and pivots the finger 114 out of its way. This rotates
the rod 111 which causes the lug 113 to disengage from the pulley
109 permitting the pulley to rotate to relieve the tension in the
spring 107 so that the arm 105 returns to a position alongside the
slot and the lever 57 is freed from the notch 106 so enabling the
lever 57 to be moved.
The pulley 109 is also connected by a cord 115 to a lateral arm 116
on the lever 57, the cord 115 being tensioned as the lever
approaches its lower position to cause the pulley to be rotated
back to the position shown in FIG. 10 to permit re-engagement of
the lug 113 with the ratchet. This also tensions the spring 107
pivoting arm 105 back across the slot 56 and permits the finger to
return to a position across the coin slot. Return of the lever 57
to its initial position is not prevented by the arm 105, which is
moved by the lever out of the path of the lever against the bias of
spring 108 until the lever registers with and engages in the notch
106. It will be appreciated that where a plurality of coin slots 90
are provided, a corresponding number of individual fingers 114 may
be provided on the rod 111.
FIG. 10 also shows means for preventing insertion of a coin or
token into the machine when the lever 57 is not in its initial
position. As shown a member 117 provided with a finger 118 is
pivotally mounted on the housing for movement in a plane parallel
to the housing wall. The pivot point of the member is off-set from
its centre of gravity and the member is connected by a spring 119
to the lateral arm 116 on the lever. When the lever is in its
initial position, the member pivots under gravity to a position
clear of the coin slot 90. As the lever 57 moves from its initial
position, the spring 119 is tensioned and pivots the member to
bring the finger 118 to a position across the slot 90 preventing
insertion of a coin or token into the slot. Where a plurality of
slots 90 are provided a single or individual members 117 may be
provided for the slots 90. In a modification, the or each member
117 may be replaced by a slidable spring biased bolt arranged to
move or be moved linearly across the slot 90 as the lever 57 moves
from its initial position.
To prevent damage to the mechanisms of the machine resulting from
excessive force on the handle, for example when movement of the
handle is prevented, the lever 57 is in two parts, an outer part
123 providing the handle 55 and an inner part 124 mounted on shaft
58, the two parts being pivotally connected together with a strong
spring 125 holding the two parts rigid for normal use. Excessive
force on the handle will overcome the spring 125 but for all normal
purposes the handle acts as one with the rest of the lever.
For reasons of security, particularly as in the modification of
FIG. 7a where the coin mechanisms are adjacent the lever slot 56,
means may be provided for closing the lever slot above and below
the lever. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the lever may be provided
with a collar 130 slidable freely thereon and attached on either
side of the lever to a flexible band 131, 132, e.g. of a plastics
material reinforced with glass fibres or metal, which extends
across the lever slot to close it. The edges of the bands are
retained and guided in C-shaped channels 133 located on each side
of the slot 56. The ends of the bands are attached to constant
tension spring mechanisms 134, 135 mounted in the housing, to
maintain the bands under tension.
FIG. 11 also shows means for ensuring that the lever 57 is moved
fully to its lower position before being returned to its initial
position during operation of the machine, as an alternative to the
ratchet 82 and pawl 82a shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 11, a
rack 138 is connected to the end of the lower band 132, between the
band and the constant tension spring mechanism 135, and is slidable
on the base of the housing in guide means 139 between the position
shown in FIG. 11 when the lever is in its initial position, and a
rearward position assumed when the lever is fully depressed. A pawl
140 is pivotally mounted above the rack and engages the teeth of
the rack in such a way as to prevent reverse movement of the rack
in either direction until the rack has first been moved to an end
position in which the pawl is clear of the teeth at one or other
end of the rack.
As described above, the handle 55 forms one end of, and is
generally aligned with, the rest of the lever 57, the lever 57
extends through an elongate slot 56 extending over a substantial
part of the height of the front wall of the housing 1, and the
extent of angular movement of the lever 57 is limited by the height
of the housing, generally to about 60.degree..
In a modification shown in FIG. 13, the lever 57 is extended by an
arcuate arm 145, the arc of the arm being centred on the axis of
pivotal movement of the lever and the arm 145 terminates in the
handle 55. The arm 145 extends through an opening 56a in the front
wall of the housing 1.
In operation of the machine by the user with a lever and handle as
shown in FIG. 13, once the mechanism has been freed, the handle 55
is pulled by the user outwardly and downwardly to the position
shown in broken lines, to dispense an article. Because the arm 145
forms an arc, the location of its emergence from the housing 1
during movement of the lever remains unchanged so that opening 56a
merely has to be dimensioned to accommodate the arm at its angle of
emergence from the housing. No slot is required. Additionally, the
maximum extent of angular movement of the lever 57 can be greater
than in the arrangement of FIG. 7 and can be varied substantially
by varying the position of the axis of the lever relative to the
front wall of the housing. The maximum extent of angular movement
can be just less than 180.degree. and as shown it is about
120.degree.. Increasing the angle through which the lever moves
between its first and second positions has the result of reducing
the speed at which the conveyors 5, 6 are moved during operation of
the machine, for any one angular speed of rotation of the lever.
This therefore reduces the speed at which the engagement means 17
of conveyor 6 engage an article and therefore reduces the risks of
malfunction of the engagement means.
As indicated diagrammatically, the lever 57 may, as described with
reference to FIG. 7a, carry one or a plurality of keys 87 which
pivot relative to the lever between a position, as shown,
preventing movement of the lever and the dispensing of an article,
and a position clear of abutment with stop 88 enabling the lever to
move and an article to be dispensed.
It will be appreciated that the article feed system coupled to the
lever 57 as shown in FIG. 13 can be as hereinbefore described but
the intermediate drive mechanism coupling the lever 57 to the
conveyors of the article feed system will require some modification
in view of the repositioning of the axis of the lever towards the
front of the housing.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the intermediate
drive mechanism between the lever 57 and the article feed system
may take any suitable and convenient form depending on the relative
arrangements and dispositions of the lever 57 and the article feed
system. Equally the other mechanisms for preventing operation of
the machine in the absence of supply to the machine of the correct
value of money may take a variety of different forms and act in a
variety of different ways on the lever or the intermediate drive
mechanism.
Although as described above, the article feed system is operated
mechanically by the user, it may alternatively be powered
electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically, the user connecting
the power to drive the article feed system, e.g. by operation of a
switch and/or by the supply of the correct amount of money to the
machine.
There is thus provided a vending machine in which an article is
positively conveyed by the article feed system to the outlet for
removal therefrom by the user. The machine is capable of dispensing
a variety of differently shaped and sized articles and any problems
with the weight of the individual articles are avoided by arranging
the articles in a horizontal array on the first conveyor.
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